Emergency services staff of the future had the chance to see what their job could involve when they spent the day helping Oxfordshire firefighters.
Public Service programme students from the Bicester Campus of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College took part in a mass decontamination training session for fire crews at Upper Heyford Airfield. The students acted as casualties in the mock practical sessions so that the firefighters could test their training in on-scene decontamination.
The students are studying the skills they will need to join one of the uniformed public services – either the ambulance service, fire brigade or police force, the armed forces, or the prison service - when they complete their studies.
“It was really interesting to see a different side of fire fighting,” said student Tamara Griffin.
Justin Kamphuis, training centre instructor at Didcot Fire Station, said: “Having the students involved was a great help for the firefighters, giving them a realistic scenario for decontaminating the public."
College tutor Michelle Marriott said the day gave firefighters a chance to refresh their training, with the students happy to pitch in and help out.
“This is what the public service course is all about, getting involved in the community and learning what it’s really like to be part of the uniformed public services," she said. "All the students had a great day and would like to thank the Fire and Rescue Service for giving them the chance to help out.”
